I met a jolly older gentleman doing antique picture frame restoration in a business space located next to a coffee shop where I would secure my Saturday cup of coffee. I ended up asking Chuck to give me lessons on how to restore a mirror and frame my parents received as a wedding gift in 1950 (For those of you mathematicians, that would put me in my 50’s). My interest was keen and I developed a ne
w skill. I had some original lighting in my 1930’s English Tudor home in Northeast Portland that needed to be rejuvenated so Chuck showed me how to re-polychrome the finish to restore them to their original grandeur. I WAS HOOKED!!! I started collecting chandeliers, floor lamps and lamps from Ebay, garage sales, craigslist and the like. I would restore and rewire them and then hang them in the various rooms of the house. Finally when I got ready to hang a fabulous chandelier in the bathroom, my significant other said: “ENOUGH”!!! You have to sell some of these lights. So, I refinished my prized possession which was a 40” round plaster and horsehair lighting deflector from an old movie theater and sold it on Ebay for $1500 to a very lucky couple in Texas. I immediately became less attached to my finished work. I decided to leave the corporate world of pharmaceutical sales and turn my hobby and love into a business. I packed up and moved to San Diego so I could enjoy my lighting business in year around sunshine. I took a part time job at Starbucks for the benefits and enjoyed the life of a Barista as well for the past 3 years. My time at Starbucks gave me the opportunity not only to interact with people but to hone my coffee/espresso skills. It was at this job I met my new San Diego best friend Hilda. Hilda was the Assistant Store Manager at my Starbucks and had also been with Starbucks for 11 years. When I got ready to put together the coffee lounge/lighting showroom concept, it seemed only fitting for Hilda to be a part of the “dream”. (Note: I have always been sharp enough to surround myself with successful people who have strong skill sets that are synergistic with mine.) We decided that the coffee lounge needed to be representative of my antique lighting offerings as well as a “fabulous” look but something that felt homey so you would feel comfortable enough to maybe kick off a shoe and tuck your foot under your leg on the chair for extra comfort. My Mom and Dad have always been my “bestest” best friends and my strongest supporters so with my Mother still living, I decided the coffee lounge should carry her name. I had an 8x10 oil portrait of her engagement picture which was enlarged to a 36” x 36” canvas portrait and hangs proudly in Marcella June’s Coffee Lounge. The feel, the look, the ENERGY all manifested into a unique offering of hand crafted beverages as well as hand crafted lighting treasures. The doors are open at Marcella June’s Coffee Lounge with lighting by Periodilluminations at 8513 La Mesa Blvd. which is between the La Mesa Village and Jackson Drive. People say this is a rough time to start a new business (and trust me, I am a hurting unit with money right now) but I have always supported Community Based Businesses and have a strong belief in La Mesa “The Jewel of the Hills” being supportive as well. So with that said … COME AND MAKE ME SUCCESSFUL, EXPERIENCE OUR FABULOUSNESS AND DON’T DISAPPOINT MY MAMA!!!!!! Daily Hours of Operation are 7:00 am. Fridays with the addition of some interesting events planned.) Stay tuned!!!! Marcella June’s Coffee Lounge with lighting by Periodilluminations is a very unique concept. I have married two businesses that have absolutely nothing to do with each other into one space but cross promote each other. You can come and simply enjoy “top drawer” handcrafted espresso based beverage or you can shop for uniquely restored period correct lighting and Art Glass lighting creations or you can do both and not even realize it. In today’s economy, it made perfect sense to diversify one’s business to not rely on just one offering.
